Blue Diamond Affair: Thailand and Saudi Arabia Restore Ties after 33 Years
January 30, 22
(IDEX Online) - Saudi Arabia and Thailand have re-established the diplomatic ties that were cut in 1989 - over the theft of $20m of diamonds.
A Thai servant with gambling debts stole the gems - including a 50-ct blue diamond - from a bedroom at the palace of Prince Faisal bin Fahd, hid them in a a vacuum cleaner bag, and had them shipped back home.
The culprit, Kriangkrai Techamong, was caught and jailed. But three officials from the Saudi embassy who tried to locate the stolen jewels in Thailand were shot dead, and a businessman also despatched to find the hoard disappeared, believed to have been murdered.
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a two-day visit last week.
Both sides issued a joint statement, in which the Thai Prime Minister expressed "his sincere regrets for the tragic cases that took place in Thailand between 1989 - 1990". No further mention was made of what became known as the Blue Diamond Affair.
The countries pledged to strengthen friendship ties and open a new chapter in their relationship.
The Saudi kingdom halted visas for Thai workers and for visitors hoping to make the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca during the third of a century ties were cut.
Pic shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Thail Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.